Ecosystems

Environment

Life on Earth is mostly green

A new survey of life on Earth finds that plants and microbes dominate. But even though humans are in the minority, they still play a major role.

Climate

Disappearing sea ice could disrupt Arctic’s food web

When sea ice goes missing in the Arctic, every part of the ecosystem feels the effects.

Animals

Animal graveyard found in deeply buried Antarctic lake

Mud from Antarctica’s Lake Mercer surprised scientists with what appeared to be the carcasses of tiny animals. A neighboring lake had only microbes.

Ecosystems

Scientists Say: Niche

An organism’s niche is the role it fills in the community it lives in.

Plants

Rare-plant hunters race against time to save at-risk species

One in five plants is at risk of extinction. Meet the rare plant hunters who rappel down cliffs and trek through forests to save them.

Ecosystems

Mosquito repellent could pose risks to baby salamanders

Two ingredients in bug repellant — DEET and picaridin — can end up in streams. There, they may hurt salamanders but leave mosquitoes alone, a study finds.

Ecosystems

Welcome to the Arctic’s all-night undersea party

Life teems in the frozen darkness of the Arctic night. But as the ice recedes and people move in, their light pollution may disturb the animals living there.

Environment

Microplastics take flight in the bellies of mosquitoes

In polluted water, mosquito larvae may eat microplastic — and it will stay in their bodies as they grow. That might pose risks to skeeter-eating birds.

Ecosystems

Scientists Say: Understory

A forest isn’t made just out of the tallest trees. Shorter trees and shrubs thrive in their shade. This layer is called the understory.

Environment

Don’t flush your contact lenses

One in five people who wear contact lenses flush their used eyewear down the sink or toilet. That plastic pollutes the environment and can harm wildlife.

Oceans

New tools aim to better predict blooms of toxic algae

Scientists across the United States are developing programs that can predict when blooms of toxic algal may occur.

Ecosystems

Surprise! Fire can help some forests keep more of their water

In California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, a century of fire suppression has led to forests with too many trees. But areas thinned by fire now show one benefit: more water.